Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler snapped in bittersweet airport farewell

It’s never easy to say goodbye, even when you have to do it as much as Aussie sporting power couple Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler.

It’s a sad reality of long distance relationships but Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler have once again had to part ways.

Matildas superstar Fowler, 21, is an international brand as she plays for one of the world’s biggest sporting clubs in Manchester City — now even with her own Barbie — while the 26-year-old Cleary, one of the NRL’s biggest and highest paid players, is currently rehabbing a hamstring injury.

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But with the pair are generally on opposite side’s of the planet for their respective sports, the couple get precious little time together and are forced into farewells on a regular basis.

The Aussie sporting power couple have been spotted over the weekend enjoying the limited time they do have together and were seen smiling and holding hands together at Sydney Airport on Monday morning before Fowler flew to Adelaide for Matildas duty.

The loved-up couple were snapped smiling and laughing, and taking pictures together with a disposable camera.

They also stopped to take pictures with fans on their way to the security check-in before their farewell, where they were seen in a tender embrace.

Fowler and Cleary were in good spirits. Photo: Media Mode

The disposable camera was getting a workout. Photo: Media Mode

It’s never easy saying goodbye. Photo: Media Mode

Earlier, Fowler stopped in Sydney on her way to Adelaide where the Matildas play China on Friday (May 31) and next Monday (June 3) and was spotted having coffee with her NRL star boyfriend in Cronulla ahead of the Panthers match 42-0 over the Sharks.

While Cleary was on-field during the warm-up, he is still weeks away from a return after reinsuring his hamstring against the Bulldogs in round 10, which was just his second match after suffering the injury earlier in the season.

The injury has restricted him to just five matches this season and ruled him out for the entire State of Origin series.

Fowler and Cleary went public with their relationship in November last year but are set to have plenty of time apart as Fowler prepares to represent Australia at the Olympics.

While they haven’t spoken much on their relationship, teammates have made comments and jokes about the pair.

But the pair went for the hard launch in April when they went Instagram official after Fowler shared a series of photos of the pair together.

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary – photos posted to Mary Fowler's account on 15 April 2024. Picture: maryfowlerrr/Instagram

Mary Fowler and Nathan Cleary – photos posted to Mary Fowler's account on 15 April 2024. Picture: maryfowlerrr/Instagram

Nathan Cleary has also shared pics.

Fowler on Cleary's Instagram account on 29 April 2024. Picture: nathancleary/Instagram

It was a big week for Fowler after she was honoured alongside the likes of tennis great Venus Williams and football’s greatest ever international goalscorer Christine Sinclair among nine athletes honoured with their own Barbie.

“I wanted to have my Barbie doll replicate when I feel my most confident self, and that for me is when I’m on the pitch playing football,” Fowler said.

“During the design process, it was really cool working with the team to ensure my look was brought to life in my Barbie.”

However, the Guardian reported: “There are no plans for a Ken doll in the image of Fowler’s partner, the NRL player Nathan Cleary.”

Originally published as Nathan Cleary and Mary Fowler snapped in bittersweet airport farewell